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County Heritage Office Annual Report (201(2016666))))

Role of the Heritage Office The main aspects of the role of the County Donegal Heritage Office are to:  Raise awareness of County Donegal’s cultural, built and natural heritage;  Provide advice and information on heritage matters to the public and Donegal County Council staff;  Collect data and conduct research on aspects of County Donegal’s heritage;  Promote best practice in relation to heritage matters;  Prepare and implement the County Donegal Heritage Plan in conjunction with the County Donegal Heritage Forum; and  Manage the County Donegal Heritage Office and County Donegal Heritage Forum administration, budgets and publicity.

‘County Donegal in 1916: From the Edge’ History & HeritaHeritagege Education Pack The ‘County Donegal in 1916’ History & Heritage Education Pack was a collaboration between the Donegal County Archives, , County Donegal Heritage Office and Donegal County Library Service. The education pack consists of an A-4 size, 64-page illustrated booklet and 19 facsimile documents contained within a designed folder that address the material heritage related to key selected themes. The education pack is aimed at upper primary / secondary students, teachers and a general audience. The aims of this Heritage Plan action Pictured at the launch of the ‘County Donegal in were to: (i) raise awareness of society and culture 1916: From the Edge’ History & Heritage in County Donegal in 1916, (ii) set national events Education Pack in County House, Lifford are (from left to right): Joseph Gallagher (Heritage Officer, (such as the Easter Rising) and international events DCC), John McDonough (Director, National (such as the First World War, the Battle of the Archives), Eileen Burgess (County Somme and the Battle of Jutland) in the context of Librarian/ 2016 Donegal Coordinator, their effects on society in County Donegal, (iii) DCC), Cllr. Marie Therese Gallagher (Chair, recognise the role that key individuals from County Ireland 2016 Donegal Committee), Judith Donegal played in national/international events in McCarthy (County Museum Curator, DCC), Niamh 1916 and (iv) communicate the material culture of Brennan (County Archivist, DCC) and Michael County Donegal in 1916 through key documents Starrett (Chief Executive, The Heritage Council). and artefacts. The production of the heritage education pack was an action of the County Donegal Heritage Plan (Action 3.4). The education pack was launched by Michael Starrett, Chief Executive of The Heritage Council in County House, Lifford on Monday, January 18 as part of the ‘Donegal 1916-2016’ Programme Launch. The Irish version of the education pack was launched in Bundoran Community Library on Monday, February 29 as part of Seachtain na Gaeilge.

Heritage Maps Initiative The ‘Heritage Maps’ initiative is a partnership between The Heritage Council and local authorities which allows the public to access and view heritage data by area. The County Donegal Heritage Office is working with the GIS Section of Donegal County Council on an on-going basis to submit information for County Donegal to this initiative. The ‘Heritage Maps’ viewer contributes to the achievement of Action 4.3 in the County Donegal Heritage Plan and can be accessed at: www.heritagemaps.ie

Heritage Council GGrantsrants Programme The Heritage Council awarded €103,700 in funding for eighteen heritage initiatives in County Donegal to groups and individuals throughout the county. Under the Community-based Heritage Grants Scheme, The Heritage Council awarded funding for conservation works to St. Catherine’s Church, Killybegs by the Killybegs History & Heritage Committee; Kilbarron Castle by the Kilbarron Castle Conservation Group; St. Columba’s Church, Straid by the St. Columba’s Conservation Group; Ballysaggart Friary by the Ballysaggart Friary Restoration Committee; Rathmullan Abbey by Donegal County Council and to Kilmacrennan

Abbey; P. Mulligan & Sons Warehouse in Among the community-based heritage projects Ballyshannon and Tullyarvan Mill, . Three that received funding from The Heritage Council thatched roofs also received support from The were the ruins of Kilmacrennan Abbey (above) and Heritage Council for repair works. Funding was the preparation of a conservation management also approved for conservation plans for the plan for the archaeological complex at Disert in Church Lane, by the Cathedral south Donegal by the Institute of Technology, Quarter Company and Christ Church, Buncrana by and the Disert Heritage Group (below). Both the Parish of Fahan, Church of Ireland as well as a Kilmacrennan Abbey and the archaeological conservation report on the Pilot’s House, Dundoan, complex at Disert are archaeological monuments protected under the National Monuments Acts. Carrigart. The Institute of Technology, Sligo and the Disert Heritage Group secured funding for a conservation management plan for the archaeological complex at Disert in south Donegal. A feasibility study for St. Mary’s Church, Castlefinn by the Urney & Castlefinn Parish Pastoral Council was also awarded funding. Natural heritage projects funded included the management of habitats for key bird species on Tory Island and a study of the flora and fauna of roadside verges in the Inishowen peninsula.

The County Donegal Heritage Forum, Donegal County Council also secured an additional €27,000 in match funding for the implementation of the County Donegal Heritage Plan actions in 2016.

Hedgerow Heritage Public Service Announcement on Local Radio As part of the County Donegal Heritage Plan (Action 4.1), the County Donegal Heritage Office in association with the Communications Office, Donegal County Council secured air time for a public service announcement on hedgerow heritage and hedgecutting. The 40-second public service announcement which was produced by Local Authority Heritage Officers and The Heritage Council ran fourteen times on both and Ocean FM regional radio stations in February.

Hedgerow near St. Johnston: Under the Wildlife Acts, hedgerows should only be cut between the start of September and the end of February.

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‘Adopt‘Adopt----aaaa----Monument’Monument’ Scheme The Heritage Council in conjunction with Abarta Heritage and Archaeology Scotland initiated an ‘Adopt a Monument’ scheme this year. The scheme aims to empower communities to become actively involved in the conservation and interpretation of local archaeological and cultural heritage sites. There were 90 applications to the scheme including over 15 applications from County Donegal. Five heritage sites around the country were selected to take part in the pilot phase of the scheme including Doon Fort (an archaeological monument) near Ardara. The successful applicants were provided with access to expertise, mentoring and support. The successful applicant Doon Fort, an archaeological monument near in County Donegal was the newly-formed GAP Ardara, was selected as one of five heritage sites for The Heritage Council’s ‘Adopt-a-Monument’ [-Ardara-Portnoo] Heritage & History Scheme. Group. The County Donegal Heritage Forum provided some logistical support to the group as one of the actions in the County Donegal Heritage Plan is to ‘Explore the ‘adoption’ of heritage sites by local communities’ (Action 4.8).

Association of IrIrishish Local Government --- Training The Heritage Officer and Liam Scott, Head of Business, The Heritage Council gave a presentation on ‘Local Authority Heritage Services’ as part of the Association of Irish Local Government’s ‘Local Authority Cultural Services’ training event for elected members in Letterkenny on Saturday, May 14.

‘Material Culture of Donegal Communities Abroad’ Booklet The County Donegal Heritage Office and the County Donegal Heritage Forum in partnership with The Heritage Council launched a booklet on the ‘Material Culture of Donegal Communities Abroad’ as part of Donegal-Irish Diaspora Conference in the Letterkenny Institute of Technology on Thursday, May 19. The free booklet highlights selected historical migration patterns from Donegal and the items that Donegal people took with them when they left. The 32-page, A5-size booklet is the second in the 'Donegal Heritage Series' produced by the County Donegal Heritage Office as part of the implementation of the County Donegal Heritage Pictured at the launch of the ‘Material Culture of Plan and includes the following narrative accounts: Donegal Communities Abroad’ booklet at the 'Barrel or Suitcase: Towards a Material Culture of Letterkenny Institute of Technology on Thursday, Irish Emigration' by Dr. Fidelma Mullane; May 19 are authors of the booklet, Heritage Forum 'Emigrant Irish Farming Implements & Practices' by members and Cllr. Ciaran Brogan, Dr. Jonathan Bell & Mr. Mervyn Watson; of Donegal County Council. ‘The Donegal Fiddle' by Dr. Caoimhín Mac Aoidh; &

'The Material Culture of Donegal and its Diaspora reflected in Migrant Letters' by Dr. Patrick Fitzgerald. Each of the contributors gave a short presentation on their research at the launch and music was provided by renowned Donegal fiddlers Danny Meehan & Dr. Caoimhín Mac Aoidh.

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Royal Visit to County Donegal The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall paid an official visit to County Donegal on Wednesday, May 25. A culture and heritage delegation met the royal visitors at the Cathaoirleach’s reception in the Letterkenny Institute of Technology.

County Donegal Historical Society’s Schools’ Competition: ‘Virtually 1916’ Members of the County Donegal Heritage Forum assisted the Donegal Historical Society redesign, organise and publicise its annual schools’ competition as part of the implementation of the County Donegal Heritage Plan (Action 4.15). The theme of this year’s competition was ‘Virtually 1916’ where students were asked to put themselves in the place of a reporter in 1916 and to produce a news sheet reporting on local, national and/or international events. There were prizes for the best class and individual student competition entries at both primary and secondary levels. There were over 40 entries for this year’s competition which represents a new record entry. A full list of winners is available on the Donegal Historical Society website at: www.donegalhistory.com

Tír Chonaill Stone Festival As part of the implementation of the County Donegal Heritage Plan (Action 2.1), Donegal County Council provided support for the Tír Chonaill Stone Festival (Friday, June 17 – Sunday, June 19) in Glencolmcille organised by the Dry Stone Wall Association of Ireland. They undertook the repair of a dry-stone wall in the village with the help of stonemasons and voluntary labour from all over Ireland and further afield. They also built and unveiled a jigsaw map of Ireland with the shape of each county cut out of a stone type from that county and a cultural symbol engraved on each The stone map of Ireland and dry-stone wall repair piece by a stonemason from each county. in Glencolmcille that was undertaken as part of the Tír Chonaill Stone Festival.

Cultúr: A Strategic Vision for Cultural Services The Heritage Office rejoined the Cultural Services Division in May and worked with colleagues in the division to produce ‘Cultúr: A Strategic Vision for Cultural Services 2016-2020’ which was launched by Cllr. Terence Slowey (Cathaoirleach, Donegal County Council) in the Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny on Monday, June 27. The document sets out the strategic plan for the delivery of heritage, archives, arts, library and museum services over the next five years. The launch of the ‘Creative Ireland’ initiative by national government in December envisages greater emphasis on

‘culture teams’ at local authority level.

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‘Learning Through Landscape’ Teachers’ Continuing ProfeProfessionalssional Development Course The Donegal Education Centre, National Parks & Wildlife Service, Inland Fisheries Ireland, Nature North West and the County Donegal Heritage Office organised a ‘Learning Through The Landscape’ Continuing Professional Development Course for Primary Teachers in Glenveagh National Park from Monday, July 4 until Friday, July 8. The course was sanctioned by the Department of Education & Skills and was fully subscribed (25 primary teachers). Themes addressed related to the primary curriculum and included reading the landscape and habitats (such as rivers and bogs) as well as transferable skills such as using maps, surveying, Ecologist, author and broadcaster Éanna Ní fieldwork and GIS. As part of the implementation of Lamhna, National Parks & Wildlife Service staff and primary school teachers attending the the County Donegal Heritage Plan (Action 4.14), the ‘Learning through the Landscape’ course pictured County Donegal Heritage Office sponsored the outside the Education Centre in Glenveagh participation of ecologist, author and broadcaster National Park on Thursday, July 7. Éanna Ní Lamhna who delivered a training day on bogs as habitats and contributed towards the provision of teaching materials.

Maritime Built Heritage Study ––– Phase II As part of the implementation of the County Donegal Heritage Plan (Action 5.8), the County Donegal Heritage Forum, Donegal County Council commissioned Phase II of the Maritime Built Heritage Study. The aims of this Heritage Plan action were to (i) provide an overview of the maritime heritage and history of County Donegal (circa 1600 – present); (ii) record the location and material heritage of piers and associated buildings in County Donegal; (iii) establish a searchable database of piers, quays, slipways and landing places in County Donegal in consultation with Donegal County Council; (iv) assess the heritage

value of piers and associated structures; (vi) Lighthouse at St. John’s Point produce a photographic record of, and field sheet and site map for, each pier/quay/slipway/landing place site surveyed; (vii) interrogate existing sources of information on our maritime built heritage to assist in its interpretation and presentation; and (viii) prepare narrative on seven locations that highlight the ways in which our built heritage facilitates the interpretation and presentation of the maritime story of County Donegal based on consultation with key stakeholders.

Downings Pier (courtesy of Congested Districts Board Collection, Trinity College )

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Traditional Shopfronts & Vernacular Signage Guidance Document The County Donegal Heritage Office in partnership with The Heritage Council commissioned architect, lecturer and broadcaster Orla Murphy to prepare guidance for the conservation of traditional shopfronts and vernacular signage in County Donegal. Traditional shopfronts lend character to the streetscapes of our towns and villages and have a major impact on the overall character,

quality and attractiveness of place. The purpose of John Barr’s drapery shop on Main Street, the guidance document was to draw upon best Buncrana exhibits many of the classic conservation practice and encourage appropriate, architectural features of a traditional shopfront sensitive and informed interventions in relation to

our traditional shopfronts, vernacular signage and historical streetscapes (Heritage Plan Action 2.4).

National Heritage Week in County Donegal National Heritage Week took place from Saturday, August 20 until Sunday, August 28. National Heritage Week is coordinated by The Heritage Council & Local Authority Heritage Officers with support from the Department of Arts, Heritage & the Gaeltacht and Fáilte Ireland. ‘Heritage Week’ is an opportunity to raise awareness of, and engender pride in, the cultural, built and natural heritage of County Donegal. There were over 115 ‘Heritage Week’ events taking place in County Donegal including heritage open days, guided walks, fieldtrips, exhibitions, conferences, illustrated talks, historical re-enactments, birds of

prey displays, whale watching, garden tours, Pictured with Heritage Week event organisers traditional skills demonstrations, craft fairs, skills outside Donegal County Museum, Letterkenny is training, launch events, film screenings, Cllr. Terence Slowey, Cathaoirleach, Donegal storytelling, traditional music and children’s County Council who launched the County Donegal Heritage Week Event Guide compiled by the activities. The County Donegal Heritage Office County Donegal Heritage Office. compiled the free, pocket-size County Donegal ‘Heritage Week’ Event Guide (Heritage Plan Action 3.2) and it was launched in the County Museum, Letterkenny on Monday, August 8 by Cllr. Terence Slowey, Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council. There was a high demand for the County Donegal Heritage Week Event Guide and 6,000 copies were printed. As part of the County Donegal Heritage Plan (Action 4.1), the County Donegal Heritage Office in association with the Communications Office, Donegal County Council & The Heritage Council secured air time for public service announcements on Highland Radio & Ocean FM in relation to Heritage Week in County Donegal including a live ‘Highland Radio’ outside broadcast of ‘Drivetime with Lee Gooch’ from the County Museum, Letterkenny on Wednesday, August 17. Pictured at the ‘Highland Radio’ outside broadcast unit on Wednesday, August 17 are broadcaster Lee Gooch, Judith McCarthy (Curator, Donegal County Museum) & Joseph Gallagher (Heritage Officer, Donegal County Council).

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Drumhome ‘‘‘Heritage‘Heritage Week’ Event As part of National Heritage Week, the County Donegal Heritage Office provided part-funding for a guided tour of Drumhome monastic site and historic graveyard by archaeologist Michael Drumm, Wolfhound Archaeology, and members of the Drumhome Heritage Group on Friday, August 26. About 70 people attended the event. Recent field research at the site has provided a greater understanding of the archaeological heritage present. The Drumhome Heritage Group has plans to support the conservation and promotion of this heritage site.

A section of the audience attending the Heritage Week event at Drumhome monastic site and historic graveyard on Friday, August 26

Audit of Oral History Recordings for County Donegal As part of the implementation of the County Donegal Heritage Plan (Action 4.9), Donegal County Council in partnership with The Heritage Council commissioned oral historian Dr. Tomás Mac Conmara to undertake an audit of oral history recordings and collections from County Donegal. The purpose of the audit was to identify what has been collected and to put that information together for the first time into one database. The audit and

A reel to reel tape from the Seán Ó hEochaidh the accompanying database will give people an Collection at the Department of Folklore, idea of the recordings that already exist and will University College Dublin help to identify priorities for future recording work. Over 3,300 recordings in circa 60 collections have been identified.

‘Tidy Towns’ Local Authority Pollinator Award Local Authority Heritage Offices & Biodiversity Offices sponsored a new annual Local Authority Pollinator Award as part of the ‘Tidy Towns’ competition. The focus of the award is on biodiversity and the crucial role that the declining population of Irish bees play in the pollination of our plants, trees and vegetables. The award encourages local groups to implement pollinator- friendly actions in their towns and villages. There will be annual prize of a national winner and four regional award winners in two categories (each prize is €1,000). A full list of award winners is available on the ‘Tidy Towns’ website at: www.tidytowns.ie The award contributes to the achievement of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan and Action 1.2 in the County Donegal Heritage Plan.

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‘Lawrence’s Letterkenny’ Culture Night Event As part of ‘Culture Night (Friday, September 16), the County Donegal Heritage Office hosted a built heritage walking tour of Letterkenny entitled ‘Lawrence’s Letterkenny’ with Colm Murray, Architecture Officer with The Heritage Council that was attended by about 70 people. Accompanying the walking tour was a temporary exhibition of 14 images of Letterkenny from the Lawrence Collection displayed in the shopfront windows of 12 businesses along Main Street as close to the viewpoints from which the original images were taken by Robert French (Heritage Plan Action 1.1).

Colm Murray, Architecture Officer with The Heritage Council, who led a built heritage walking tour of Letterkenny as part of ‘Culture Night’ pictured outside Mourne Antiques, one of the dozen businesses on Main Street who displayed Lawrence Collection images in their shopfronts.

Wainfest Wainfest is Donegal County Council’s Cultural Services Arts, Heritage and Book Festival for Children. In association with the County Library Service, the County Donegal Heritage Office sponsored Donegal heritage-themed cartoon workshops with Jarla in libraries in Buncrana, Carndonagh, Lifford, Mevagh, Milford, Moville, Raphoe & St. Johnston on October 11, 12 & 13. The events were part-funded under the County Donegal Heritage Plan (Action 3.7).

Study of Flora of Roadside Verges in Inishowen As part of the implementation of the County Donegal Heritage Plan (Action 2.9), part-funding was provided for a study of the flora of roadside verges in Inishowen by Aulino Wann & Associates. The purpose of the survey was to record the flora and habitat types along randomly-selected roadside verges in the peninsula and to produce best practice guidelines for the management of the natural heritage along roadside verges.

Digitisation Strategy The County Donegal Heritage Office worked in partnership with other Cultural Services, Donegal County Council to establish a draft digitisation strategy (with priorities) for conserving archival materials and providing on-line access to key documents (Action 5.15).

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Conservation of Landmark Historical Buildings As part of the implementation of the County Donegal Heritage Plan (Action 2.5), Donegal County Council provided conservation advice for Niall Ó Dónaill’s House, Loughanure and undertook photodocumentation of ‘The Laurels’ (Brian Friel’s aunts’ house), Glenties and assessment of household objects. Niall Ó Dónaill was an lexicographer who edited the Foclóir Gaeilge - Béarla and Brian Friel was a leading Irish playwright who made his home in County Donegal. These actions contributed to community efforts to conserve these important examples of the county’s built and cultural heritage.

Niall Ó Dónaill’s house in Loughanure which has been converted for community use.

Compiled by: Joseph Gallagher County Donegal Heritage Office February 2017

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